p18 cruise Apr17 14/4/09 17:43 Page 18
Cruise
Lee Hayhurst
020 7921 8001
lhayhurst@ttglive.com
For the latest cruise news, visit ttglive.com/cruise
NCL unveils
the Epic Plunge
NCL HAS revealed its latest ship Norwegian Epic
will have what the company claims is the only
tube slide at sea.
The Epic Plunge will be the centrepiece of an
Aqua Park onboard Norwegian Epic, which will
feature a 10m rock-climbing wall and abseiling.
NCL said the ship, which is due to be delivered
in May next year, will also have the most bowling
lanes at sea, with six split between two venues.
Epic will also have 14 restaurants, more than
any other NCL ship, along with 18 bars and
lounges, and a squash court.
New restaurant options include The Manhat-
The 2,600-passenger Grand Princess will next year operate two more ex-Southampton sailings than this year tan Room, modelled on an art deco supper club.
Facilities for youngsters will include Wii
Princess expands
gaming areas and a karaoke stage that doubles
as a cinema.
Epic will go on sale on May 20 this year.
ex-UK for 2010
LAUNCHPAD.
Princess
Lee Hayhurst.
“Princess offers a different experience from Cruises
PRINCESS Cruises has increased its capacity other cruise lines and if that’s what people want, Mediterranean,
from Southampton by 18% for 2010 as it looks that’s fabulous.” Scandinavia,
to increase its UK business by 10% for a second In response to customer feedback, Canada & New
year in succession. Princess has dropped two ports on 14-night England 2010
Two additional cruises on Grand Princess Mediterranean itineraries to allow for more time The brochure
have been added in the line’s new Mediterranean, in some of the more popular ports of call. includes seven,
Scandinavia, Canada and New England pro- “The ship will get there a few hours earlier 12, 14 and
gramme that goes on sale on April 20. and in some cases leave a few hours later,” Van 18-night cruises from the UK on three ships,
Pieter van der Schee, Princess’s head of brand der Schee added. ranging in capacity from 670 to 3,110
marketing, said the 2010 programme was an “It allows more time in port. We have had passengers.
evolution rather than a revolution for the brand. some feedback that some people like a slightly Nine 14-night round-trip cruises to the
He said the decision to increase capacity on more relaxed experience.” Mediterranean and four seven-night cruises
Grand Princess was testimony to how the brand Princess has also increased its range of to Spain and Scandinavia on Grand Princess
had established itself in the UK, where it is set fly-cruise options in particular to cater for depart from Southampton.
to grow by 10% this year. demand for shorter duration holidays. Grand Princess’s lead-in prices are £599
The 2,600-passenger ship replaced Sea Ocean Princess, Ruby Princess, Pacific for seven nights and £1,019 for 14 nights.
Princess two years ago, increasing capacity for Princess and Star Princess will be based in Free coach transfers and parking are
the UK market at that time by 40%. Europe, with new ports of call including available on all 14-night ex-UK cruises.
Unlike sister brand P&O Cruises, Princess does Villefranche in France, Portofino in Italy and Fly-cruise fares start at £1,079 for 10
not market its ships to different clientele, saying Kefalonia and Itea, both in Greece. nights from Copenhagen on Star Princess,
the same US-style service is available on all, The new brochure has reduced information while 12-night fly-cruises start at £1,299 on
though the larger ships offer more facilities. about prices, with just lead-in prices listed Ruby Princess in the Mediterranean.
“We’ve had good bookings for Grand Princess; for each cabin category, allowing longer port ■ 0845 358 5800
it has done very well for us,” said van der Schee. descriptions and more photographs.
18 17.04.2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64